"The Voice' Recap: Rihanna Continues to Push Artists to New Heights

'The Voice' Recap: Rihanna Continues to Push Artists to New Heights - http://bit.ly/1O7Qlm6

One of my favorites

“Hard work keeps the wrinkles out of the mind and spirit.” - Helena Rubinstein

Backstreet Boys' Nick Carter and Wife Lauren Expecting First Child

Backstreet Boys' Nick Carter and Wife Lauren Expecting First Child - http://bit.ly/1PUBBX8

Adele's 'Hello' On Track to Become U.K.'s Fastest-Selling Single of 2015

Adele's 'Hello' On Track to Become U.K.'s Fastest-Selling Single of 2015 - http://bit.ly/1PUBDhE

Nice people can be a contractor’s worst nightmare

Everyone who reads my blogs has probably met someone in their lifetime at least once who isn’t real sincere, or someone who comes off really friendly in the beginning but end up being a nightmare.  We’ve all come across someone like this. When you are estimating, you are going to see a lot of this. The more estimating you do, the more of these people you will encounter.

It’s not a real common thing for me. I’ve been in the construction and plumbing industry for so long – I can pretty much read these people in the first minutes of our telephone conversation.  When a new customer calls beaming with enthusiasm, and being very complimentary of the work you do– they usually are not who they seem to be.

Watch out for the people who act like your best friend, like they have known you for years, but the minute you give them a price, they turn into a rage.  Try not to get caught up in this. Don’t get caught up in other people’s problems or other people’s beliefs.  I know it’s in our human nature to want to be friendly, and to love people, but you need to make a living too. If you can take one thing away from my blogs and tips, I would cement this into your brain -- You can’t afford to do stuff for free!  You can’t afford to do it for your friends for a long time and still make your house payments, or put food on the table.

Another scenario of people that act like your friends, are the ones who call and give you the impression that you already got the job.  You invest so much time and work creating an estimate. You may even go to their home on more occasion, but than you submit the estimate – and its crickets!

Whatever the psychology is behind this, don’t let it get you down. Go in there and give them a price that you’re happy with, not what they are happy with, because it’s all about making money and having a better life. It’s not just about doing favors for everyone.  A little bit a common sense can go a long way but in your pocket book it’s not going to go very far.

Find out more here: http://alexfiglioliajr.com/

RIP 'Yo! MTV Raps' Co-Creator Peter Dougherty Dies at 59

RIP 'Yo! MTV Raps' Co-Creator Peter Dougherty Dies at 59 - http://bit.ly/1iiiMQ3

New iPhone 7 Details Promise Visual Delight

New iPhone 7 Details Promise Visual Delight - http://onforb.es/1iiiGbe

The 100+ tech & business women speakers you need at your next event

The 100+ tech & business women speakers you need at your next event - http://bit.ly/1PUBAm1

Merry Christimas

Would like to wish you and your families a wonderful Merry Christmas - Alex Figliolia jr. #MerryChristmas #NYC #NewYork

YouTube's new engineering chief talks about promise of virtual reality

YouTube's new engineering chief talks about promise of virtual reality - CNET - http://cnet.co/1PUBzPc

Believe in your dreams

"A dream doesn't become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination and hardwork."

Apple reports biggest annual profit in history

Apple reports biggest annual profit in history - http://bit.ly/1iiimJj

This is Twitter's first television ad

This is Twitter's first television ad - http://bit.ly/1iiijxk

Twitter raises its follow limit to 5,000 users

Twitter raises its follow limit to 5,000 users - http://engt.co/1O7Q6HQ

Finding the best motorcycle repairman today is a gem

Finding the best motorcycle repairman today is a gem. Just like most gems, they are hard to find. But here are some things you should look for when finding a good motorcycle mechanic. Experience is key; find somebody who has knowledge of bikes. Ask around to other friends who may have a bike and can refer to a good source. Make sure your mechanic is certified. Look around on the shop walls, see if there are any mechanic certifications hanging up. It’s a lot safer to know your motorcycle is in the right hands. Professionalism is key, mechanic that keeps a promise and guarantees perfection is the right mechanic for you. Most importantly, you want somebody with a down to earth personality. You want someone who can relate to the bike on a personal level. When looking for that right mechanic shop, ask yourself, is the shop clean and organized? For a mechanic to thrive, they must be organized, and if the shop is not organized, go on to the next one. Next, check if your mechanic shop is a franchise or personally owned. If the owner is available in the shop, ask them questions pertaining about your bike. This way, you get to feel out the owner make sure they are compliant with all your concerns. Take your time and find the right mechanic, it will only benefit you in the end. You want the best service for your prized motorcycle, so take the time to find someone who loves your bike just as much as you do.  

Find out more here: http://alexfiglioliajr.com/mmotorcycles/

Veteran’s day is approaching in the United States.

Veteran’s day is approaching in the United States. On November 11th, 2015, we as a nation will celebrate Veteran’s Day. Here are some interesting facts about our veterans. Veterans are people who have served in the military branches including the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Coast Guard and Air Force. In the year 2013, there were a total of over 40,000 veterans who had served during WWII, Vietnam and the Korean wars. November 11th is Veterans Day, which is also the same day WWI conflict officially ended. Veterans Day is a day where we pay tribute to all living and/or dead veterans and Memorial Day pays tributes to those who have lost their lives in combat. As of now, there are over 2 million female veterans in the United States.  Three US states contain the highest number of veterans, California with 1.8 million, Florida, with 1.5 million and Texas with 1.7 million veterans. Since September 11th, the unemployment rate has risen to about 6.2%, which is a drastic increase. Out of homeless population, veterans make up about 13% of that population. A majority of veterans struggle after coming back from war making it that much harder for them to translate back into society. A staggering 70% of homeless veterans suffer from substance abuse and about 50% experience mental health issues such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Lastly, a majority of veterans end up living on the streets about 9 to 10 times the length of their disposition. I hope these facts have given some perspective on our struggling veterans. Enjoy Veterans Day!        

For more info click here:  http://fundraise.woundedwarriorproject.org/RTT/Fundraising/individual/28607817

Wifi Networks Can Now Identify Who You Are Through Walls

Wifi Networks Can Now Identify Who You Are Through Walls - http://bit.ly/1iiiatL

Apple's perfectionism machine

Inside Apple's perfectionism machine - http://on.mash.to/1O7Q3fh

Twitter Shares Tank 8% Despite Q3 Earnings Beat On Lackluster User Growth

Twitter Shares Tank 8% Despite Q3 Earnings Beat On Lackluster User Growth, Weak Guidance - http://tcrn.ch/1PUBquW

- Alex Figliolia

Contractors to Protect Their Businesses From Negative Publicity

Plumber Strongly Urges Fellow Contractors to Protect Their Businesses From Negative Publicity Following Texas Plumber Business Truck Captured In Photos With Islamic Terrorists

Alex Figliolia Jr., warns fellow contractors to remove identifying information from any equipment they intend to sell before listing it as a precaution against negative publicity.  The warning comes following news reports that a Texas plumber, Mark-1 Plumbing, sold his used truck to an auto dealership who insisted that he not remove his company information in order to preserve the paint beneath.  The plumber agreed to let the auto company remove the information but the truck was sold with the contractors information intact.  A few months later photos of Islamic extremists in Syria driving in the truck with fitted out with machine guns were posted to the internet. The plumber and his company information were clearly visible in the photographs.  The plumber began receiving calls and threats for what seemed to be his support of the militant group.

a plumber who has had his own battles with negative publicity, "With the advent of the internet and social media sites, small businesses such as father and son plumbers, electricians and contractors are always at risk for adverse publicity.  Historically, the contractors and plumbers have gotten a bad reputation- mostly because people do not understand what we do or because they call us in emergency situations when they are under stress.  Also, anything relating to the construction industry is expensive – especially in emergency situations.  So going into a job emotions and repair costs are running high.  A good contractor is one who takes the time to explain everything they can to the client; who establishes trust from the onset and who stands by his/her companies work.” 

“Contractors’ reputations are directly linked to their company name and since most equipment is mandated to be branded with the name and contact information of a plumber or contractor, it is important that the owner of the company remove all identifying information before equipment is sold,” Figliolia Jr. continues. “Like many contractors, I learned this lesson the hard way as negative articles and reviews were written about me from disgruntled employees or competitors.  Protecting your identity is especially important for father and son plumbers or contractors because they share the same name and negative articles can live on the internet indefinitely.”

For me the negative experience has prompted him to reestablish himself and to share his lessons through blogs, social media and websites geared to helping others.  As for the Texas City plumber, Mark Oberholtzer, the New York Daily News story states that he filed a lawsuit against an AutoNation dealership for 1 million dollars for failing to remove the decal identifying his company and his name as a plumber which appears prominently on the truck door in the photos.  The news story goes on to say that the dealership sold the truck to the Islamic extremist brigade, Ansar al-Deen Front, who then had the vehicle shipped to Syria. The group used the vehicle in a photo op where group members stood atop the flat bed, rifles in hand and Mark-1 plumber business information clear for the world to see. Since the photo, Mark-1 plumber has received numerous death threats and just wants it all to go away.

Illinois Introduces Legislation To Regulate Daily Fantasy Sports

Illinois Introduces Legislation To Regulate Daily Fantasy Sports - http://tcrn.ch/1iihTH2
-Alex Figliolia

Tinder 'slut shaming' ends with Aussie man charged

Tinder 'slut shaming' ends with Aussie man charged - http://on.mash.to/1iihRz0 oops

Consumer 3D printer used to create human tissue

Consumer 3D printer used to create human tissue - BBC News - http://bbc.in/1PUBlYg

Quote of the day

"No one ever drowned in sweat." - USMC Officer #alexfigjr #SINY #quoteoftheday 

Apple profits up on iPhone sales

Apple profits up on iPhone sales - BBC News - http://bbc.in/1O7PVMK

Outlook on iOS and Android gets a facelift from the Sunrise team

Outlook on iOS and Android gets a facelift from the Sunrise team - http://www.engadget.com/2015/10/28/outlook-ios-android-sunrise/

Facebook is testing live sports updates in Messenger

Facebook is testing live sports updates in Messenger - http://bit.ly/1PUBfzM

Mobile Messaging For Marketers 101

Mobile Messaging For Marketers 101 - http://tcrn.ch/1PUBef6

What Twitter must do to save itself

What Twitter must do to save itself - BBC News - http://bbc.in/1PUBdIb

Facebook Wants To BE Your Phone Number With New Message Requests

Facebook Wants To BE Your Phone Number With New Message Requests - http://tcrn.ch/1KFQ4PI

Keep your focus on high

Laser focused morning. Wish you all a productive day ahead. #morningmotivation
https://www.facebook.com/AlexFiglioliajr1/

Joining Forces

Joining Forces: Wellness - http://1.usa.gov/1PUB0VA

Quote of the day - Alex Figliolia jr

"Don't watch the clock;do what it does. Keep going." - Sam Levenson

Airman Puts Language Skills to Work

Face of Defense: Airman Puts Language Skills to Work - http://1.usa.gov/1PUB1c2

Goldman Sachs to Spin Out Mobile-Phone Software Projects

Goldman Sachs to Spin Out Mobile-Phone Software Projects Into Separate Venture - http://on.wsj.com/1O7M8Po

LinkedIn

For all who were inquiring about my LinkedIn page, please click the link below and let's connect. www.linkedin.com/in/alexfiglioliajr

Happy Birthday Chris - Alex Figliolia jr

I just want to take this opportunity to wish my dear friend Chris a big Happy Birthday. thank you for sticking by me through all these years. Look forward to seeing you tonight. #lit

morning Staten Island - Alex Figliolia jr

Good morning Staten Island. wish you all a great day ahead.

Staten Island women's volleyball team

College of Staten Island women's volleyball team drops home finale - http://bit.ly/1PUy4YN
- Alex Figliolia jr.

Giving Tuesday

Happy #GivingTuesday everyone #SINY #HappyHolidays #NY

Quote of the day

"Always do your best. What you plant now, you will harvest later." - Og Mandino